Accessible Arts / arts + disability NSW

Taking the Lead

‘Be My Brother’ steals the show at Tropfest

In front of audiences of over 150,000, Genevieve Clay was awarded first prize at Movie Extra Tropfest 2009, by a panel of celebrity judges for 'Be My Brother,’ a short film about a young man whose charm and charisma challenges the prejudices of a stranger waiting at a bus stop.  On receiving her award, Genevieve said, “I am thrilled to win this award. My mother and grandmother know how hard I’ve worked to win this.  I’d like to thank my film star, Gerard O’Dwyer who also won best actor tonight, which he thoroughly deserved.” Genevieve has been involved in a number of arts and disability projects, which have helped craft her understanding and sensitivity of the issues associated with disability. Opportunities for people with disability to work as part of the crew were provided and other supporting individuals were drawn from the arts and disability sector including Alison Richardson, Creative Programs Coordinator at Accessible Arts in Western Sydney.  Read more...

Cultural Awards recognise best access initiatives

The 2009 NSW Local Government Cultural Awards have attracted nominations from over forty local councils across the State.  These awards recognise encouragement, development and support by councils for local artists and communities. A diverse range of community arts projects have been submitted and can now be viewed on the LGCA website.  The People's Choice Award allows community members to vote for their favourite project and voting is open until Monday 27 April.  For the second year, Accessible Arts are participating in the awards.  All entrants submit information on how people with disability are included in their projects and the project that best delivers a high level of access wins the Accessible Arts Award.  The award provides recognition of excellence in community arts and is a valuable forum for nominees to articulate how they are improving access and benefiting the whole community.

International arts and disability symposium at Art of Difference Festival

Art of Difference 2009 is a two-week international Deaf and disability arts festival hosted by Gasworks Arts Park in Melbourne, Victoria commencing 10 March.  This year the biannual festival has three streams including a creative arts program, professional development opportunities and an international symposium.  The two-day symposium will provide a platform for people from national and international disability and Deaf communities to exchange ideas and debate key issues around arts.  Speakers include Christine Bruno, actor, director and disability advocate for New York based organisation Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts and Tom Shakespeare, author, social commentator and research fellow at the Newcastle University United Kingdom.  The creative arts program includes international and local visual, performing, literary and new media artists and is spread across Melbourne to Northcote Town Hall, Federation Square and Frankston Arts centre.

‘How’s your news’ changing views of disability

International focus: From small beginnings ten years ago at a summer camp in Massachusetts, a group of people with disabilities have honed their news reporting skills to create a topical six episode comedy series currently screening on MTV called 'How's Your News.’   Material produced at the summer camps in 1998 fell into the hands of South Park producers Matt Stone and Trey Parker, and these two along with other indie film professionals have supported and financed the development of the project over the years.  In 2004, the team produced a short documentary featuring candid interviews with public figures such as Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Ben Affleck.  In February, the premiere of the MTV series was watched by 1 million people and the Washington Post described it as “Upbeat and funny, the show is a genre all to itself and a chance to look through someone else’s eyes and see the world in ways you’ve never seen it before.”  To contribute to the popularity of the show, watch a series at the MTV website.

Training compliments current exhibition at Blacktown Arts Centre

‘Expressions,’ an exhibition showcasing works by students with specific needs across eight Western Sydney schools, is currently showing at Blacktown Arts Centre.  Accessible Arts conducted NSW TAFE accredited Disability Awareness and Access Training for staff and volunteers at the centre to support the current program, which has included a range of events showcasing disability and the arts.  The training session provided an opportunity for staff and volunteers to debate and discuss improving and developing strategies to enhance access.  The diversity of the group, particularly the mixture of volunteers and staff, resulted in a broad range of issues covered, including customer service, policy development and project funding.  ‘Expressions’ continues at the centre until the 24 March.  To attend the next NSW TAFE accredited Disability Awareness and Access training at Accessible Arts book before 10 March 2009.

Creative Inclusive

AART.BOXX enters a new age: Call for works by emerging artists with disabilities

AART.BOXX is Accessible Arts’ national exhibition of works by emerging artists with a disability.  It aims to extend and challenge the current discourses within contemporary art by highlighting art practices that are informed by cultures of disability. Now in its fourth year, AART.BOXX 09 will for the first time open this opportunity to emerging artists of all ages.  Recent works created after January 2008 in any art form/medium from anywhere in Australia are eligible.  Applications for pre-selection close Friday 15 May 2009.  AART.BOXX 09 will be held at Mori Gallery, Sydney from 29 October to 7 November 2009.  For further information contact Josie Cavallaro, Arts Development Officer on 02 9251 6499 (ext 4) or email jcavallaro@aarts.net.au.

Increase in arts development support meets growing need

With Becky Chapman, the new arts development officer joining the team, Accessible Arts can now provide professional assistance to organisations and artists with disabilities five days a week.  Becky will work alongside Josie Cavallaro to initiate and support sustainable arts projects, as well as broker partnerships between the arts and disability sectors to increase access.  Becky has over 20 years experience in the arts sector in Australia and overseas.  Her work includes directing, dramaturgy, teaching and producing, with a particular focus on work with and for young people. Most recently Becky held the position of Artistic Associate at Australian Theatre for Young People. To gain assistance from Becky for project or professional development support contact (02) 9251 6499 (ext 4) or email bchapman@aarts.net.au.

Blind as you see it audio described theatre performance

With successful shows at Blacktown Arts Centre in February, ‘Blind, as you see it,’ a hybrid performance production exploring the process of losing one’s sight will be presented with audio description at Parramatta Riverside Theatres on 8 and 9 April at 7.30 pm.  Directed by Michal Imielski and supported by Accessible Arts and Vision Australia, the production is inspired by interviews with people who are blind or have low vision and aims to contribute to raising awareness through a theatrical experience.  Devised by Shh, a production company based in Blacktown, a fusion of puppetry, illusion, dance, movement, video art and sound compositions have been adopted to enliven the senses throughout the performance.  For more information contact Parramatta Riverside Theatres box office.

Rachelle Rodriguez, Bride at the Window,
2008, charcoal on paper

Galleries provide opportunities to access the arts

A number of exhibitions during March reflect a growing increase in the representation of artists with disabilities in galleries across NSW.  Blank Space Gallery in the inner city suburb of Surry Hills will exhibit There’s no such thing as colour coordination, works by artists from Studio ARTES Northside, an independent, not for profit organisation in Hornsby that provides artistic programs for people with disability.  Project Contemporary Art Space in Wollongong is exhibiting Beyond One, works by a group of artists supported by Greenacres Disability Services.  This exhibition includes tactile works, art-making workshops and the screening of a film produced by a local drama group profiling the artists. Insideout Gallery, a new initiative for emerging and established artists who experience mental illness is opening in North Ryde with a retrospective of works by prolific artist David Excalibur.  This professional gallery space is situated in the grounds of the Macquarie Hospital and aims to provide the opportunity for exhibiting artists to develop professionally.

Profile : Gerard O’Dwyer, actor

Gerard O’Dwyer, a 24 year old MacDonald’s worker, karate enthusiast & actor from Guildford took the best actor award at this year’s Tropfest - the largest short film festival in the world. For the last six years Gerard has been a part of the acclaimed dance group the Merry Makers.  He is also featured in a documentary that follows the lives of several people living with Downs Syndrome, to be screened later this year at Sydney Opera House.  Emerging filmmaker Genevieve Clay was involved in the shooting of the documentary and upon meeting Gerard was inspired so much by his natural gift for performing that she wrote him the lead role in her film 'Be My Brother,’ which took best film at this years Tropfest.  “ I liked being in the film because it improved me as an actor. In the future I’d like to be in more films and TV and I’d like to thank all those who helped,” Gerard commented.  He has a small role coming up in the yet to be released feature film Video 8.

PNAN Youth Arts Festival information tour through regional NSW

Regional focus: The PNAN (Play Now Act Now) Youth Arts Festival is embarking on a state-wide information tour to promote the launch of the 2009 Festival and competition. PNAN is a short film, creative writing and graphic design festival that aims to get young people involved in a discussion about the role drugs and alcohol play both in their lives and the wider Australian society, through the creative mediums. Over the last seven years the festival has been a great launching pad for aspiring creatives across NSW with previous winners and finalists including Ben Briand, director of The Vines ‘He’s a Rocker’ clip and Genevieve Clay, this year's TropFest winner for best short film.  Substantial cash prizes, internship opportunities and equipment packages are on offer.  With tour dates set throughout March in Lismore, Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst, Albury, Wagga Wagga, Tamworth, Armidale, Broken Hill, Bourke and more, PNAN would like to visit young people in their communities to garner interest in the festival.  Read more...

Other events & opportunities

• Australia Council for the Arts - 2009 Arts Funding Guide now available

• Drama for Young People with Intellectual Disabilities – NIDA Term 2 weekly drama classes

• Music Theatre for Young People with Intellectual Disabilities – NIDA  weekend workshop of music theatre performance skills

• Permanent Collection Audio Described Tour – Art Gallery of NSW audio described tour of permanent collection

• Call out for ten minute play festival – Short + Sweet Communities play festival looking for participants

• Call for Proposals – Electrofringe 2009

Feedback

We invite feedback and suggestions from our readers. Share your experiences of attending any of the listed events or offer suggestions for future newsletter items. Email feedback to info@aarts.net.au.

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Contributions to the newsletter are welcome and encouraged. Please send us your item by the 15th of the month, for the following month’s edition. Listings should include the title, date, location, a short description (100 words), plus all available contact details, access details and an image (JPEG or GIF format). Arts events, opportunities or news that will be of interest to people with disability,  their families, friends and carers and are accessible will be published. Email contributions to info@aarts.net.au.